The new Mercedes-Benz G-Class features “Desert” in its Dynamic Select driving modes, designed specifically for vehicles in the Middle East

Raising the bar higher still, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its new G-Class, the latest version of an iconic vehicle that has already sold more than 300,000 units worldwide.

The new off-road vehicle, revealed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2018 in Detroit, US, impresses with its performance, cutting-edge assistance systems, outstanding handling, and safety.

An interesting feature of the vehicle is the “Desert” driving mode in its Dynamic Select modes, designed specifically for vehicles in the Middle East.

“The new G-Class is setting the bar higher still in all relevant areas – in terms of performance both on and off the road as well as with regard to comfort and telematics. Our ‘longest-serving’ model series is therefore ideally equipped to continue its success story. In short, the new ‘G’ is still a ‘G’, only better,” stresses Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

Working on the development of the new G-Class was extremely challenging for the team. “Enhancing an icon such as the G-Class in technological terms was both a challenge and an opportunity at the same time. Each part and every bolt came under close scrutiny,” explains Dr Gunnar Güthenke, Head of the Off-Road Product Group at Mercedes-Benz. “With the body, our main focus was on increasing the vehicle rigidity and the connections between the suspension and drivetrain with the ladder-type frame.”

The G-Class will be available in the Middle East in summer 2018.

The specification includes a host of new features such as the LED headlamps, the driving assistance systems, the high-quality interior with leather seats, and the new suspension. For demanding customers, options such as the Exclusive Interior Plus with leather on the interior door panels provides even more exclusivity.

Dynamic Select is now available with up to five driving modes for the G-Class. This allows adjusting the vehicle characteristics in seconds at the touch of a button, as the system modifies the characteristics of the engine, transmission, suspension, steering and assistance systems at the driver’s behest. The four programmes “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Eco” and “Individual” can be set conveniently via the Dynamic Select rocker switch. In addition, a fifth driving mode of “Desert”, designed specifically for vehicles in the Middle East, enables optimised off-road performance on sand.

Reinterpreted for today

The G-Class, the luxury off-road vehicle from Mercedes-Benz, has long been considered a design icon. Its external appearance has not changed significantly since 1979. Iconic elements continue to serve very specific purposes, now as then, and to give the G-Class its unique appearance. All these are still found in the new G-Class: the distinctive door handle and the characteristic closing sound, the robust exterior protective strip, the exposed spare wheel on the rear door and the prominent indicator lights. Extraordinary features like these in concert with the off-roader’s angular lines define its special look.

With the latest update, the off-road icon – which has been continually enhanced technically over the decades but visually has hardly changed – is making the leap into a new era – both in terms of technology and form. The new G-Class is 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider and now has an even greater presence, on the road as well as in terrain.

While the exterior maintains the iconic classic look, the interior of the G-Class has undergone a fundamental modern redesign which reinterprets the genes of the classic vehicle to reflect the exterior. With its off-road character and top-class luxury appointments, the G-Class has always combined two extremes into a harmonious symbiosis. Unmistakable at first glance and from the first touch,

only high-quality materials are used. Every detail is finished by hand with the utmost care.

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The specification includes a host of new features such as the LED headlamps, the driving assistance systems, the high-quality interior with leather seats, and the new suspension